Rich DeMattia of La Cucina di Hampden House in Hampden sent word that the restaurant, which is located at 1 Allen Street, will be holding its annual Toys for Joy Celebration on December 12.

Now in its 15th year, the event, which the restaurant cosponsors along with the Salvation Army, helps provide needy kids throughout the Pioneer Valley with a measure of holiday joy.

Those bringing a new, unwrapped toy to La Cucina on December 12 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. will be rewarded with a complementary pasta dinner served with a choice of Alfredo, bolognese, or vodka sauces. For more details, contact La Cucina di Hampden House at (413) 566-8324.

Though Santa's schedule is packed this month, Chef Michael Anderson, who runs Tucker's Restaurant in Southwick, says he's convinced the Jolly Old Elf to stop by for dinner on December 13.

To mark the visit, Tucker's will be serving a special buffet and holding a raffle; those attending are urged to bring their cameras so they might snag a photo with Santa.

Dinner, which is scheduled from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., is $15 for adults and $8 for children 11 years of age or younger. Call Tucker's Restaurant at (413) 569-0120 to order tickets.

On December 15, the School Street Bistro will be presenting a "Westfield on Weekends" event.

Set to start at 6:30 p.m., "A Dickens Dinner" is built around a family style evening meal with a rollicking live version of "A Christmas Carol" presented between courses.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages twelve and younger. For reservations call (413) 562-8700.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a Christmas tradition among Italian-Americans, and Rico Giovanello, the Executive Chef of the Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge, will be presenting a special cooking class that focuses on recreating such a feast at home.

His authentic multi-course menu will be demonstrated then served, along with appropriate wine pairings, to the cooking class participants.

Scheduled to be held on December 15 at The Swan and The Duck in Sturbridge, the class will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is priced at $45 per person. Call (508) 347-2321 for reservations.

Following an extensive remodel in which the restaurant was updated with new seating, a lighting and decor makeover, free WiFi, and flat panel television screens in the dining room, the McDonald's of Greenfield location at 208 Mohawk Trail held a grand reopening celebration on December 2.

To mark the restaurant's "extreme makeover," the Mohawk Trail location will be offering special deals all month long, including 99-cent Big Macs on Mondays, 49-cent hamburgers on Wednesdays, a 50-cent Filet-o-Fish promotion on Fridays, and special weekend prices on selected breakfast items.

The renovated Mohawk Trail McDonald's, which will henceforth be open 24 hours a day, answers at (413) 774-5311.